Madison School District sees sharp increase in COVID case numbers, quarantines | Local Education

Coronavirus cases and quarantines in the Madison School District have increased significantly over the past week, with 111 new cases recorded between November 17 and Wednesday.

The district, with around 26,000 students enrolled, recorded 1,079 quarantines in the last 14 days. East High School had 95 quarantines, West 80 and Memorial 71. Allis Elementary School had 83 quarantines.

Allis and East also had 12 positive cases each in the past 14 days.

“The increase reflects what is happening in the Madison community,” said district spokesman Tim LeMonds via email. He also said the district plans to offer more school-based vaccination clinics for students but could not provide details.

Dane County’s COVID cases have increased 5% in the past two weeks, while hospital admissions related to the virus have increased 17%, according to Public Health Madison and Dane County. The county continues to be classified as a high transmission area for the virus, even though more than 75% of residents have received at least one dose of vaccine.

The Madison School District recently hosted its first school vaccination clinics for students ages 5-11 in November, offering approximately 380 students the opportunity to get vaccinated at Stephens, Leopold, and Thoreau elementary schools.